I work with Access and have a moderate knowledge base about it. Where I work we use a symix system frontend with a Progress DB Backend on our accounting database.

About my technical level: I'm not one bit knowledgable in Progress/SQL/ or many of the other database solutions. My coding background is limited to access and modifying small features, such as maximizing forms or opening forms. I haven't had a reason to use any other query than a select query so far. I know a little bit about VB, through the express edition I've been teaching myself. I use frontpage for personal website design.

What I want: I want to know where I should start to learn about ODBC and how It is possible to gather data by using a driver or other methods. I know how to link tables in access, so I basically want to do the same thing with the progress database. Are there any good books out there. I don't have any trouble piling through the technical books, but as of now I don't want to make any of the learning mistakes others have made. I'm assuming I need to learn about SQL too.

Also, from a learning perspective, I want to have a fundamental knowledge of access. Should I upgrade to Access 2007 or should I learn about Access in 2003?

Suggestions are much appreciated.

Several tough questions.

Upgrading. It depends on whether you will be MOSTLY using A2003 or MOSTLY using A2007 in your work. There is going to be something of a learning curve between A2003 and A2007, so you might want to focus on one or the other depending on what you'll be doing over the next 12 months.

Linking to Progress. It depends on the format in which the Progress db is stored. I am not familiar with this product, so i can't address the specifics. However, Access does natively provide the ability to link to many types of of files. I'm sure someone will step in with more info on this point.

Thank you George, I hope so...